Hoi Polloi - Crokodile Tears

 Hoi Polloi - Crokodile Tears

by Pete Clemons

Hoi Polloi is a term that, apparently, originated in Greece and was used to refer to the masses or the people. Over here, in the UK, the phrase was claimed by the elitist and used as a reference towards the commoners in a negative way.

And now, here in Coventry, the term Hoi Polloi has been turned completely on it's head. It has been applied in a positive way and has been used to showcase the latest series of songs by fabled troubadour Christopher Sidwell. And along with the freewheelin' Jerry Richards and the free spirited Alf Hardy, collectively known as Crokodile Tears, those songs have been turned into an album.

Titled Hoi Polloi, the album celebrates the ordinary folk as several songs within it have been written for some of the people in, principle songwriter, Christopher Sidwell's life. Of course this is nothing new. Real life subjects have been immortalised in song before. Included amongst them include Suzanne, a girlfriend of Leonard Cohen, 'Layla' a song written by Eric Clapton for similar reasons and Bob Dylan who was captured in song by David Bowie amongst many others.

The parodies are not taking aim at anyone in a nasty way, they are not a mockery. They are simply a social commentary. They are creative and articulate. The songs are funny but poignant, silly but, at the same time, deep. Where parodies can quite often be a sense of ridicule or criticism these are light and humorous.

The album itself contains sixteen songs and runs in at just under forty minutes. It is bookended by the Croks latest hit Momus Boulevard and, in terms of recording and production, is clearly a team effort.

Finally, Hoi Polloi is dedicated to Kosmic Ken Ingram who was a leading light of the festival scene and who sadly passed away earlier in this most dreadful of years.

Everyone deserves a bit of sunshine right now and this album has been created in order to add a bit of light to this most dark of years. And things will pick up, that I am certain about.